Women still work less than men when it comes to paid work. That difference already starts when women have graduated, confirm figures from the Central Bureau of Statistics. This comes as no surprise to Minister Robbert Dijkgraaf of Education, Culture and Science, but ‘it has to change’.
According to the minister, the Netherlands has long been a kind of ‘world champion of part-time working’, especially among women. ‘This traditional division of roles is very prominent in the Netherlands and has an effect in every possible way,’ says Dijkgraaf. For example, women accrue less pension, they are less financially independent and part-time work is one of the reasons why women cannot progress to top positions.
Culture change
What comes to the mind of the minister strongly is that these patterns are already visible in women immediately after completing a study. ‘So it is deeply embedded in the norms in our society, it has to do with culture.’ Dijkgraaf states that it is difficult to realize a cultural change, but that creating awareness for this is an important first step in the right direction.
‘Unconsciously, women are given the message that it is self-evident to work part-time’
This awareness should not only arise among women, but certainly also among men. ‘It is not the task of the government to make choices for the people, but there are currently many unconscious choices in our country. This sends the message to women that it is self-evident to work part-time,’ explains the minister.
Fair share
Dijkgraaf therefore advocates that women become aware that part-time work can offer a solution in certain periods of life, but that they should not ‘get stuck in it forever’. In addition, it is also important that men and women are made aware of the importance of a fair division of care tasks. ‘We should also make that a subject for discussion for men.’
Currently, only one in ten parents with children indicate that the care tasks are evenly distributed. The minister hopes that when steps are taken in the field of childcare and leave arrangements, this percentage will increase.
